Further road closures have been announced as part of the Dodwells roundabout and Long Shoot junction improvements.

The £4.7 million scheme, which is a month behind schedule, will continue into March with closures to the northbound A5 carriageway from the Hammonds Way island to the Long Shoot traffic lights which will be under three-way control.

Southbound A5 traffic into Hinckley will be under two-way signal control and there will also be a full closure of Dodwells Road.

These works are to widen the approaches to Dodwells island, improve footway and cycleway access on the island and ensure all service diversion works for utilities and other providers with underground pipes or cables is completed.

Contractors Lafarge Tarmac working on behalf of the Highways Agency have said Dodwells Road and Coventry Road will not be closed at the same time to ensure the local diversion route is unaffected.

All roadworks involving traffic restrictions take place between 8pm and 6pm. During the day works are taking place off the highway but narrow lanes and a 30mph speed limit are in place.

So far all Western Power, Virgin Media and Severn Trent diversions have taken place. A new drainage system has been installed on the roundabout and the inner widening of the island has been completed.

The project, which started in October, is part of a £317 million ‘pinch point’ improvement programme outlined during the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement in 2011 which aims to provide small scale improvements delivering big returns by easing congestion and making journey times more reliable for road users, including hauliers and commuters to help boost local economies and drive economic growth.”

Works involve widening the existing approaches and exit roads from the roundabout and installing traffic lights.

Additionally a controlled pedestrian crossing will be built at the Long Shoot junction. The scheme is expected to be completed by April.